'India's aircraft strength is just 1/3rd of China'

Gandhinagar, Sep 23: Indian Air Force Chief Marshall PV Naik on Wednesday, Sep 23 admitted that India was no match to China when it comes to air power strength.

Naik said, "Our present aircraft strength is inadequate. Aircraft strength is one third that of China. The Government of India is doing a lot to augment Air Force capability."

Speaking on the Chinese incursions, Naik said, "There are two ways to look at Chinese incursions. One way is to take up weapons and go to the border. Other way is to build systematic weapons capability to tackle the threat."

He also denied the reports of violation of airspace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by the Chinese. "As far as Air Force is concerned there are no Chinese incursions," he added.

The IAF Chief's statements came a day after China's Envoy to India, Zhang Yan met Home Secretary GK Pillai and tried to clarify the picture over the reported border incursions.